Swiftech unveils SLI/CrossFire bridge for the MCW82 Universal GPU waterblock

[gabe]

I am glad to announce the release of a new SLI/Crossfire solution (http://www.swiftech.com/slicrossfirebridge.aspx)for users of the MCW60, MCW80 and MCW82 Universal GPU waterblocks.

"This new series of manifolds provide an elegant, convenient and economical solution to implement SLI and CrossFire with the MCW60, 80 and 82 Universal GPU waterblocks."

http://www.swiftech.com/images/HW-MNFLD-2X-20-INSTALLATION.jpg
http://www.swiftech.com/images/HW-MNFLD-2X-20-INSTALLATION-CLOSEUP.jpg

Available Sizes

For SLI/CrossFire
- 1.6" PCI Spacing
- 2.4" PCI Spacing

For Triple SLI/CrossFire (3 cards): release date 10/1/2011

White Polyacetal Copolymer/Black Logo: release date 10/1/2011

Specifications:

Material:
- Black Polyacetal Copolymer with inlayed Chrome Plated Logo
- White Polyacetal Copolymer with inlayed Black Logo (release date 10/1/2011)
- Port sizes: G1/4" (1/4" BSPP)

What's included the Box:
- Bridge
- (2) G1/4 Chrome plated plugs

Compatible Swiftech fittings (optional):
- 1/4" BSPP x 1/2" barb, Eurostyle
- 1/4" BSPP x 3/8" barb, Eurostyle

Other compatible fittings:
- All G1/4 barb fittings
- Compression fittings up to 1/2" Tube OD


Additional Note:
Many users have asked when we would release a Heatsink for the GTX570, and I wanted to clarify that the GTX580-HS is already compatible with all P1261 (reference board) GTX570's.

[defect9]

Nice! That's an awesome solution for us budget-minded folks!

[Church]

Superb!:up: Less fittings to use thus saving money, simpler setup, better/neater looks. Win-win-win. Any plans of such for those with full cover swiftech blocks?

[slaveondope]

6 more fittings actually that are not included. Looks great and the price is right though.

[screwtech02]

Anxiously awaiting the "tri-fire" version......

[Church]

Each variation costs money to make. 3-sli && universal gpu blocks, which usually go for different kind of builds then 'money no object' ones, very hardly fits together imho.

[jayhall0315]

Always preferred the MCW 60 or MCW 82 gpu blocks over the full cover versions. I have two MCW 60 blocks on one computer I got back in 2006 for $35 each and they are on that rig's AMD 6970s now. Probably saved me over $800 or more during the last five years over getting full cover blocks for the last three or four generations of cards. SLI connector looks awesome.

[Garrett]

finally... can't wait to get mine lol... I've always hoped this would happen :) :up:

[Seufari]

I would prefer it to say "swiftech" just like the blocks rather than the logo. That logo means nothing to me and I run a complete swiftech loop right now.

Also, I wish you would have released this a month ago. :D

[miahallen]

Cool unit Gabe :up:

[PatRaceTin]

hybrid cooling for vga is good for people that change his vga card often

[Utnorris]

Sweet. So glad you came out with this Gabe. Time to place an order.

[Church]

It's not that long since they introduced new logo. Imho some time is needed, for it to sink in minds.
I'm guessing that due SLI bridge using G1/4 fittings & tubing it, even while price rises by +4 barbs, instead it allows slight variations in slot placement and should work also on many competitors universal gpu blocks, as most of them have inlets pointing up as well. Seems less feasible for using on full cover blocks of all the vendors, as one has to add price of rotary 90deg fittings, which are more expensive then plain barbs.
Hehe, i also wonder if someone will try somewhere in their builds to use it as hard tubing for interconnecting other non gpu blocks :)

[Seufari]

It's not that long since they introduced new logo. Imho some time is needed, for it to sink in minds.

I figured as much... I just put away the instructions for my brand new MCW82 and saw it on there as well...

EDIT: So on the underside is 4 barbs and tubing going to the waterblocks correct?

[gabe]

I figured as much... I just put away the instructions for my brand new MCW82 and saw it on there as well...

EDIT: So on the underside is 4 barbs and tubing going to the waterblocks correct?

Correct :-)

Additional note: given the very low restriction afforded by the parallel setup, using 3/8" tubing to link to the MW82's and 1/2" to link to the rest of the loop is perfectly acceptable.

[Utnorris]

Any chance we can get a pic of the setup around the block? I take it you used barbs at the block and the SLI connector with tubing in between?

[gabe]

Here are two examples of installation using 1/2" ID (3/4" OD) tubing, barbs and clamps. The first schematic reflects the setup published on our site.

http://www.swiftech.com/images/HW-MNFD-DUAL-2P-example-of-installation.jpg

http://www.swiftech.com/images/HW-MNFD-DUAL-2P-example%20no%202-of-installation.jpg

[Utnorris]

Thank you.

[ScottALot]

That's great! Very useful.

If I can just make one observation, the bridge looks kinda flimsy. I'm not saying it actually is flimsy, but it appears that it is. I'm not sure how you could address that issue, but those are just my two cents.

[PiLsY]

Gabe, any idea when any of your newer stuff is going to make it to Europe (or even better the UK?). I can't find any MCW82's (and only a couple of 80's) or unibody heatsinks and there's definitely no sign of these connectors landing. Bacata are listing everything except the sli connectors, so they are available to resellers. Just seems to be absolutely no take up on them at all. There's definitely no shortage of rads or XT's.

Maybe the resellers over this way need a bit of encouragement from you guys to start stocking all this cool new stuff you're making. I want a go dammit!!! :)

[jayhall0315]

Gabe, just wanna say thanks to for better spacing for larger tubing on the new MCW 82s. The MCW 60s were nice but the barbs didnt fit very well and larger tubing was always a pain. Thanks

[gabe]

That's great! Very useful.

If I can just make one observation, the bridge looks kinda flimsy. I'm not saying it actually is flimsy, but it appears that it is. I'm not sure how you could address that issue, but those are just my two cents.

Looks great IMO, simple, elegant, and the embedded chrome logo makes it look rich, it's solid stuff.


Gabe, any idea when any of your newer stuff is going to make it to Europe (or even better the UK?). I can't find any MCW82's (and only a couple of 80's) or unibody heatsinks and there's definitely no sign of these connectors landing. Bacata are listing everything except the sli connectors, so they are available to resellers. Just seems to be absolutely no take up on them at all. There's definitely no shortage of rads or XT's.

Maybe the resellers over this way need a bit of encouragement from you guys to start stocking all this cool new stuff you're making. I want a go dammit!!! :)

Will copy paste your post to Bacata. They haven't ordered it yet. Just bz I guess, but I'll send'm reminder..


Gabe, just wanna say thanks to for better spacing for larger tubing on the new MCW 82s. The MCW 60s were nice but the barbs didnt fit very well and larger tubing was always a pain. Thanks

We haven't changed the ports spacing (for backward compatibility reasons).. But what we HAVE done is made available these nice black hose clamps (http://www.swiftech.com/wormdriveclamp.aspx)which completely resolve the issue users faced with the plastic clamps for 3/4" OD that were too thick. The same applies to XT for example. You can use 3/4" OD without returning the port cover, and use these clamps. We actualy include them with the block. Being black, they remain inconspicuous, and they are very secure!

[hillywav]

hi gabe

will this product works well with crystal tube type sli link like this http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/bicrlitufor2.html and this fitting http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/big1blspmuad1.html ?

[Church]

gabe: imho he referred 'flimsy' not to bridge material itself, but rather to it's flexible/not hard mounting way via tubing, by which it might get skewed/not leveled straight by eg. pressure/weight of attached tubing. With some care imho not much of an issue.

[ino]

FYI, you can use extender fittings along with 45/90 degree angle rotary adapters to get around the spacing issues if you for example want to use fat 3/4" OD compression fittings that otherwise would not fit side by side.

[gabe]

hi gabe

will this product works well with crystal tube type sli link like this http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/bicrlitufor2.html and this fitting http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/big1blspmuad1.html ?

No, this is precut to max length of 30mm. See our installation guide here (http://www.swiftech.org/Installation_guides/installation_guide_HW-SLI-CF-BRIDGES-ENG.pdf). Typical tubing length to link MCW82 to Bridge is ~40mm
Fitting: link removed


gabe: imho he referred 'flimsy' not to bridge material itself, but rather to it's flexible/not hard mounting way via tubing, by which it might get skewed/not leveled straight by eg. pressure/weight of attached tubing. With some care imho not much of an issue.

CC


FYI, you can use extender fittings along with 45/90 degree angle rotary adapters to get around the spacing issues if you for example want to use fat 3/4" OD compression fittings that otherwise would not fit side by side.

Upper and lower ports: yes, definitely.

[Church]

Hmm, ~ 40mm .. won't four from these (http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=bitspower+WP-C6+IG1+extender) + four from these (http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=%22Bitspower+G1%2F4%22+RG+%22Male+to+Male+ Rotary+Adapter%22) fit instead of fittings/tubing?
Or if D-fitting's quick disconnect joint is preferred to rotary one, then four of these (http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=59_346_393_621) + four of these (http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=bitspower+WP-C6+IG1+extender).
Of course, price might get higher then that of 8 barbs + it might be a little bit less leak safe. And better looks of "hard tubing" might be lost behind SLI bridge. And because of smaller ID of those extenders it might be tiny bit more resistive to flow. Crap, i see only drawbacks. :D

[gabe]

Ok, let's budget this in details:

Recommended "soft" Linkage for a standard SLI/CF setup:

MCW82 already includes 1/2" barb fittings. Cost = 0

1/2" Barb fittings: (2 pairs at $5 each): $10.00
Worm-Drive Hose clamps (8) needed @ $.73 each: $5.8
Tubing 1/2' - Cost $1.00
Total linkage cost: $16.80 + shipping

Hard Linkage with After market parts:

4x extenders at $6 each = $24
4x Male/Male adapters @ $9 each = $36
Total linkage cost: $60 + shipping

For a show machine, hard linkage will look cool, but functionally tubes + barbs are hands down best bang for the buck.